Washing, filling and tapping valve assembly

ABSTRACT

A method of washing and filling a keg which contains a valve assembly especially suitable for mounting in the bung opening in the side wall of a beer keg, and containing a skeletal tubular housing and a siphon tube which extends into said keg. A valve body is mounted in the tubular housing for movement between a closed position in which it is in closed, sealing engagement with the bung opening, and an open position in which it is spaced from the bung opening whereby cleaning liquid or beer can be caused to flow past the valve body and into the keg, said valve body being yieldably biased toward the closed position.

United States Patent Johnston i 1 WASHING. FILLING AND TAPPING VALVEASSEMBLY [76] lnventor: Mack S. Johnston. 26 Hitching Post Dr.. RollingHills. Calif. 90275 [22] Filed: Aug. 7. 1973 Appl. No.: 386.475

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Scr. No. 2229M) Feb. 21972. Pat, Nov

[52] US. Cl. Lil/5; 134/22 R [51] Int. Cl B65b 3/04 [58] Field of Search141/4-8. 1. l4l/1l.85-92 ll31l37/3l5. 320. 321. 322, 3l7. 323. 212;2Sl/65 3l8: 222/148. 399. 400.7; l34/DIG. l, 22 R (56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 3.277.929 ill/1966 Cook l4l/92 rams I ll 3,880,206

[451 Apr. 29, 1975 Primary Evurninvr-Bell. .Ir Houston S. Attorney,Agent. or Firm-wills, Green & Mueth [57] ABSTRACT A method of washingand filling a keg which contains a valve assembly especially suitablefor mounting in the hung opening in the side wall of a beer keg andcontaining a skeletal tubular housing and a siphon tube which extendsinto said keg. A valve body is mounted in the tubular housing formovement between :1 closed position in which it is in closed. sealingengagement with the bung opening. and an open position in which it isspaced from the bung opening whereby cleaning liquid or beer can becaused to flow past the valve body and into the keg. said valve bod)being yieldably biased toward the closed position.

7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures -gib PATEIUEDAPRZBIHIS SHEET 10? 2 WASHING.FILLING AND TAPPING VALVE ASSEMBLY CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATIONS This application is a division of application Ser. NO.222.910, filed Feb. 2. I972. now US. Pat. NO. 3.753.445:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally tothe siphoning art. and more particularly to a novel washing. filling andtapping valve assembly especially suitable for beer kegs, and to amethod of washing and filling a keg. whereby the same valve assembly canbe used for admitting liquid into the keg for cleaning purposes.thereafter admitting beer into the keg which is to be subsequentlydispensed therefrom. and for withdrawing the beer from the keg. of beer.unless and until a tapper was engaged with the adapter and actuated and3.567.080 issued Mar. cause a tap rod to unseat the aforementioned valveand permit the beer to flow therefrom under pressure from a source ofcompressed air or carbon dioxide gas which was connected to the tapper.Various forms of my aforementioned adapter and tapper assembly aredescribed in US. Pat. Nos. 3,231.154 issued Jan. 25, I966. 3.353.724issued Nov. 21. l967. 3.4l0.458 issued Nov. 12. l968. 3.435.997 issuedApr. l, I969. 3.497.l 14 issued Feb. 24, 1970. 3.563.424 issued Feb. 16.I971. and 3.567.080 issued Mar. 2. 1971.

Although the various forms of adapter and tapper assemblies shown anddescribed in the aforementioned patents constituted a considerableadvance over prior beer tapping devices. they continued to presentproblems with regard to satisfactorily washing the keg adapter and theinterior of the keg while the adapter remained fastened in the keg. andprior to the refilling of the keg with beer.

Recognizing the aforementioned problems. I invented a novel tappingassembly in which the valves in the keg adapter are yieldably biasedtoward the closed position by actuators which include permanent magnets.Thus. while the permanent magnets have sufficient holding force tomaintain the gas and liquid valves in the adapter in the closed positionduring the shipment of a beer-filled keg. the valves are readilyunseated when the tapper is installed for withdrawing the beer from thekeg. and they are also unseated when a water hose is connected to theadapter during the washing operation which precedes the filling of thekeg with beer through the aforementioned bunghole in the side wall. Theaforementioned novel tapping assembly is shown and described in mycopending application, Ser. Nov l89.28l. filed Oct. 14. 197].

From a commercial standpoint. at the present time. kegs continue to befilled with beer through an opening in the side wall. which opening issubsequently closed with a wooden bung or plug. This presents severalproblems. Prior to washing and refilling the keg with beer. the oldwooden plug or bung is removed with a special screw augar which cutsinto the bung and pulls it out of the opening. However. often times thebung will split into pieces and such pieces and chips will fall into thekeg. thereby requiring special efforts to remove the pieces and chipsand a further inspection to make certain that all have been removed.

The keg then passes to the washing rack where it is washed and inspectedand then turned on its side with the bung hole directed downwardly, topermit all water and caustic cleaner to drain from the kegv When the keghas been washed and is in transit to the racking room where the keg isto be filled with beer, the bunghole remains open. with the possibilitythat foreign matter might fall into the keg and contaminate the beerwhich is subsequently introduced into the keg.

At the filling station. it is again necessary to change the position ofthe keg in order to have the bunghole at the top. to permit the keg tobe filled with beer.

After a keg has been filled with beer by means of a filling rod which isinserted through the aforementioned bunghole. the hole is closed with awooden plug or bung which is usually manually driven into place with asledge hammer. 1f the first bung does not effectly close the opening. itis not uncommon to place a second bung on top of the first one. and todrive the first bung into the keg. There might be dirt and bacteria onthe outer face of the first bung where the sledge hammer struck it. andthis could also contaminate the beer.

Obviously. the manual removal of a bung from an empty keg. with theaccompanying inspection to make certain that all chips have beenremoved. the washing and draining of the keg. the turning of the keg andthe filling of it with beer. and the manual driving of a bang into thehole after the keg has been filled with beer are very time consumingoperations and materially add to the cost of a keg of beer. At thepresent time. there are from eight to ten steps in debunging. cleaning.filling and sealing a keg of beer. with most modern breweries having acapacity of from about to I30 kegs per hour.

Also. an additonal major problem occurs after the bung has been driveninto the opening and the keg has been removed from the racking room.because it is expected that anywhere from 0.5 percent to 1.0 percent ofthe kegs will leak around the bung. Ifsuch leakers" are detected in thestorage room. it is necessary to remove and replace the old bung. butmany such leakers are not detected in the storage room or they begin toleak during transit. with the result that they are rejected at thetavern. and must be returned to the brewcry and the contents dumped.

With the aforementioned limitations and deficiencies of prior fillingand tapping equipment and methods in mind. it is an object of thepresent invention to dispense with the filling of beer kegs through anopening which is subsequently closed with a wooden bung or plug and todispense the beer from a separate and different opening. Moreparticularly. it is an object to provide a novel valve assembly forinsertion in an opening in a key. which valve assembly can be used forboth filling the keg with beer and for withdrawing the beer therefrom.Specifically. it is an object to provide a method of washing and fillinga keg and a novel valve assembly for use with the existing bunghole inthe side wall of a keg, which provides means for introducing cleaningfluids into the keg prior to refilling the keg with beer. which providesmeans for filling the keg with beer. and which further provides meansfor subsequently admitting compressed air or gas into the keg and forthe with drawing of the beer therefrom at a restaurant or tavern.

A further object is to provide such a method and valve assembly whichreduces the number of cleaning and filling stations in a brewery, from 8or twelve to about 4 with an accompanying reduction in operating andinspecting personnel. More particularly, it is an object to provide sucha method and valve assembly whereby a keg can remain in the samerelative position for washing, draining, inspecting. and filling, i.e..with the keg on its side and with the bunghole directed downwardly,whereby the draft beer producing capacity of the present brewery can beincreased to well over 400 kegs per hour with less equipment than in useat the present time.

I have discovered that the foregoing objects and advantages are achievedby using a novel valve assembly which is especially suitable formounting in the present bung opening contained in the side wall of akeg, and which includes an elongated skeletal tubular housing with anassociated siphon tube which extends into the interior of a keg. A valvebody is mounted in the housing for limited axial movement between aclosed position in which it is in closed, sealing engagement with thebung opening, and an open position in which it is positioned away fromthe opening. The valve body is yieldably biased toward the closedposition, as for example, by a coiled spring. The housing adjacent tothe bung opening is of a size to slidably receive the valve body andcontains large apertures in the side wall thereof, whereby when thevalve body is in the open position, cleaning liquid or beer can freelyflow into the interior of the keg. Gas and liquid passageways withassociated valve means are provided in the valve body, and a siphon tubeis provided in the keg in communication with the liquid passageway inthe valve body, whereby when the valve body is in the closed position,gas under pressure can be admitted to the interior of the keg and liquidcan be withdrawn therefrom through the siphon tube. In the preferredconstruction, the valve body is made ofa magnetic material such asstainless steel, and the valve means associated with the liquid and gaspassageways are biased toward the closed position by permanent magnets,whereby said passageways will be opened by the flow of liquid into thetubular housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. I is a side elevational view of a beer keg with a valve assemblyconstructed in accordance with the teachings of the present inventionmounted in the existing bung opening, the side wall of the keg beingcutaway to illustrate the position of the valve assembly within the keg,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, vertical, sectional view of a novel washing,filling and tapping valve assembly of the type shown in FIGv l, with thevalve body in the closed position,

FIG. 3 is a vertical, sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but with thevalve body in the fully open position, as during the washing or beerfilling operation,

FIG. 4 is a horizontal, sectional view taken on the line 44 in FIG. 2.

FIG. Sis a horizontal, sectional view taken on the line 5-5 in FIG. 2,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the valve body as shown in FIGS. 2 and3, with the liquid and gas valve members removed therefrom FIG. 7 is anenlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional view ofa first modified formof beer valve housing and associated parts, and

(ill

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional view of a secondmodified form of beer valve housing and associated parts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Although the novel washing,filling and tapping valve assembly of the present invention can be usedwith numerous types of containers which store and dispense various typesof liquids, it is especially suitable for use with kegs which containdraft beer, because of the requirements for ease of cleaning and. rapidwashing and filling which is necessary with present brewery demands, andaccordingly, the valve assembly and method will be so described.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, thenumeral I0 indicates a novel washing, filling and tapping valve assemblyembodying the teachings of the present invention, shown installed in aconventional bung opening 12 in the side wall 14 of a beer keg 16, thekeg being devoid of any other opening. Although the aforementioned valveassembly can be installed in an opening in an end wall of the keg, animportant advantage of the subject valve assembly is that it isespecially suitable for use with all present cooperage which contain thecommon bung opening in the side wall thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bung opening I2 is usually surrounded byan annular flange 18 which can be fastened in the side wall 14 ofthekeg, as by welding.

Positioned in the bung opening 12 is one end of an elongated tubularvalve housing 20 having a side wall 21, which contains an externalgroove 22 for receiving an ll-ring 24 which provides a seal between saidhousing and the bung opening 12. Internal threads 26 are provided insaid one end of the valve housing for threadedly receiving a retainingring 28 which contains an internal annular groove 29 for receiving atapper of the type described in my co-pending application Ser. No.l89,28l.

Adjacent to said one end of the valve housing are opposed, inner annularshoulder 30 and 32 which function as seats for receiving an O-ringsealing member to be more fully described hereinafter. The wall of thehousing between said opposed shoulders 30 and 32 contains a plurality oflarge, rectangular openings 34 to provide for the flow of liquidtherethrough.

The outer end of the valve housing 20 has an end wall 36 containing anopening 38 which receives one end of a tubular adapter 40 which isfastened thereto, as by Welding.

The side wall 21 of the valve housing adjacent to said end wall 36, isalso provided with a plurality of relatively large, rectangular openings41 to provide for the free flow of liquid into and out of said housing.

The other end of the adapter 40 contains an internal flange 42 forreceiving an interlocking external flange 44 on the inner end of asiphon tube 46 which extends to adjacent the side wall of the keg,opposite from the bung opening 12.

Mounted within the valve housing 20, is a valve body 48 (FIGS, 2, 3 and8), preferably made of a magnetic material such as stainless steel, andwhich includes a cylindrical disc-like end portion 50 containing anexternal annular groove 52 which receives an O-ring 54, said O-ringbeing adapted to engage the shoulders 30 and 32 previously described.

Extending from the outer face of the end portion 50 is a bayonet portion56 (FIGS. 2 and 3) which forms the outer end of an axially extendingliquid passageway 58 which contains a valve seat 60. The end of thebayonet portion is provided with an external groove and an O-ring forreceiving a tapper to dispense beer from the keg, as described in myco-pending application Ser. No. 189,28 l.

Two, diametrically opposed gas passageways 62 are provided in the endportion 50, radially outwardly of the liquid passageway 58, each ofwhich gas passageways contains a valve seat 64.

Fastened to the inner face of the end portion 50 in alignment with saidliquid passageway 58, is a tubular liquid valve housing 66 (FIG. 6) alsoof magnetic material such as stainless steel, which receives a liquidvalve member 68 comprising a valve element 70 and a permanent magnetvalve actuator 72, the latter being provided with radially extendingprojections 74 for centering the valve member in the valve housing. Asshown in FIG. 2. the valve element 70 is adapted to engage the valveseat 60.

Also fastened to the inner face of the end portion 50, but in alignmentwith the gas passageways 62, are two tubular gas valve housings 76 ofstainless steel, which are slightly shorter in length than the liquidvalve housing, for a purpose to appear. The free ends of the housings 76are open, and each housing also contains an aperture 78 (FIG. 6)adjacent to the valve seat 64.

Slidably mounted in each gas valve housing 76 is a gas valve memberwhich comprises a valve element 80 and a permanent magnet actuator 82,each valve element 80 being adapted to engage its adjacent valve seat64. In the preferred construction, each valve actuator is a permanentmagnet of cylindrical shape, which is rolled in Teflon" material or asimilar plastic meterial which has a very low coefficient of friction.

Also fastened to the inner of the end portion are four permanent magnets84 (FIGS. 5 and 6) which are positioned in close proximity with the gasvalve housings 76 and the liquid valve housing 66, whereby therespective valve member are yieldably maintained in the closed positionshown in FIG. 2.

Fastened in the free end of the liquid valve housing 66, as by afriction fit, is the outer end of a tubular connector 86 (FIGS. 2 and3), the inner end of which is received in the outer end of the siphontube 46 with an O-ring 88 therebetween to provide a sliding, sealingengagement, for a purpose to appear. The outer end of the tubularconnector 86 is preferably provided with an 0-ring 90 for sealingengagement with the liquid valve housing 66, although this is notnecessary if there is a close friction fit between these two members.

A flange member 92 is fastened on the tubular connector 86 a shortdistance from the outer end thereof, to provide a stop for engagementwith the free end of the liquid valve housing 66. As will be describedmore fully hereinafter, the flange member 92 also limits the movement ofthe gas valve actuators 82 within the gas valve housings 76 (FIG. 3).

A coiled spring 94 is positioned about the tubular connector 86, withone end thereof in engagement with the flange member 92 and the otherend in engagement wiith the flange 44 of the siphon tube 46.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show alternative constructions for re movably fastening atubular connector (similar in con struction to connector 86) to theliquid valve housing 66, and also show alternative constructions for theliquid valve actuators. FIG. 7 modified parts have the same numbers asin FIGS. 2 and 3, followed with the letter a, and in FIG. 8, themodified part numbers are followed by the letter 1).

Referring first to FIG. 7, the flange member 92a is fastened to the endof a tubular connector 860 as by welding, and includes a tubularextension of reduced diameter, such that it is spaced from the innersurface of the liquid valve housing 66, and also includes a transverselyextending wall 102, liquid passage ports I04, and a small escape port106. An 0-ring 108 is provided to effect a seal with the liquid valvehousing 66.

The construction of the valve element 70 is the same as previouslydescribed, but the valve actuator 720 comprises a permanent magnet ofcylindrical shape, which has been rolled in Teflon material or a similarplastic material having a low coefficient of friction. This type ofconstruction obviates the radially extending projections 74 shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, and appreciably reduces the cost of the valve actuator.

Referring to FIG. 8, the outer end ofa modified tubular connector 86b isprovided with a similar flange member 92b, but the end of the connectoris rolled at 110 to provide a groove for receiving an 0-ring 112, andterminates in a portion 114 of reduced diameter which receives one endofa small tubular member I I6. The portion 114 contains relatively largeliquid passage ports 118.

As in the contruction shown in FIG. 7, the valve element 70 in FIG. 8 issimilar in construction to the valve elements shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,but the valve actuator 72b is a permanent magnet of cylindrical shape,rolled in Teflon material or the like.

The inner end of the tubular member H6 is cut to provide projectionswhich are bent inwardly to provide stop members to limit the inwardmovement of the valve actuator 72b.

In use, when a beer keg provided with the subject washing, filling andtapping valve assembly is returned to the brewery, any beer remaining inthe keg is in the liquid state inasmuch as the keg is sealed asillustrated in FIG. 2, whereby the remaining beer can be easily andquickly flushed from the keg. This materially reduces the amount ofcaustic cleaning materials which are normally required to remove thecaked residue in open kegs.

In preparing the keg for cleaning and refilling, it is placed in theposition illustrated in FIG. 1, i.e. with the bung opening I2 directeddownwardly. A wash hose with an actuating arm or fixture (not shown) isconnected to the flange 28 utilizing the groove 29, and water andcleansing materials are introduced into the keg under pressure. Theactuating arm engages the bayonet portion 56 and forces the valve body48 to the position illustrated in FIG. 3, with the coiled spring 94being compressed by the flange 92 and with the tubular connector 86telescoping into the siphon tube 46. The movement of the valve body 48is stopped when the 0- ring 54 engages the shoulder 32.

As shown in FIG. 3, the water and cleansing materials pass into thevalve housing 20 through the opening in the flange 28, and thencethrough the large openings 34 and into the interior of the keg. Thecleansing water also passes through the large openings 41 and around thetubular connector 86 and spring 94, thereby cleansing these portions ofthe device.

The cleansing water passing through the gas passageways 62 force the gasvalve members 80-82 to the open position illustrated in FIG. 3. with theends of the permanent magnet actuators 82 engaging the flange 92. Inthis open position. cleansing water passes through the gas passageways62, around the valve elements 80. through the ports 78 and also aroundthe cylindrical permanent magnet actuators 82. thereby cleansing all ofthese portions of the device.

In addition. the water entering the liquid passageway 58, forces theliquid valve member 72 to the open position with the one set ofprojections 74 engaging the outer end of the tubular connector 86,whereby the cleansing water passes through the liquid passageway 58.around the permanent magnet actuator 72. through the tubular connector86, through the siphon tube 46 and into the interior of the keg. therebycleansing all of these parts of the assembly.

It will be readily apparent that with the skeletal-type valve housingwith all of the internal parts exposed to the cleansing water. it isrelatively easy to fully cleanse all of the working parts of theassembly.

In one system of operation. the wash hose is disconnected but theactuating arm remains in position. whereby the cleansing water ispermitted to drain from the keg.

In another system. after the keg 16 has been filled with water andcleansing materials, the aforementioned water hose and actuating arm aredisconnected. The coiled spring 94 moves the valve body 48 to the closedposition illustrated in FIG. 2, and the permanent magnets 84 cause thepermanent magnet actuators 72 and 82 to move their respective valveelements to the closed position.

The keg [6 then moves to the next station where the valve body 48 andthe individual elements are moved to the open position by mechanicalmeans. thereby permitting the water and cleansing materials to drainfrom the keg 16. If desired. heated air or steam can be blown into thekeg through the opening in the flange 28, thereby completing the dryingoperation.

If desired. the interior of the keg can be inspected at this station. asby inserting a light and a conventional viewing assembly.

The keg 16 then moves to the beer filling station, where it continues toremain in the same relative position with the bung opening 12 in thedownward direction.

The auxiliary equipment at this station differs from the equipment atthe washing station in that the arm or fixture which engages the bayonetportion 56 includes a vent tube (not shown) which opens the liquid valve60-70 and fits over the bayonet portion. whereby gas and/or air isvented from the keg through the siphon tube 46 during the fillingoperation.

In some breweries, a charge of carbon dioxide gas would be introducedinto the keg to purge all air and bacteria therefrom, immediately priorto filling the keg with beer.

After the keg is filled with beer. the auxiliary filling equipment isremoved. thereby permitting the spring 94 to move the valve body 48 tothe closed position illustrated in FIG. 2. with the 0-ring 54 engagingthe shoulder 30, and with the permanent magnet actuators 72 and 82moving their respective valve elements 70 and 80 to the closed position.

Thus. the beer-filled keg I6 is completely sealed and the normalresidual gas pressure in the keg. which is from about 9 pounds persquare inch to about 34 pounds per square inch. further aids inmaintaining the valve body and the various valves in the closed position.

Accordingly. the keg can then be transported to a restaurant or tavern.in a clean and beer-filled condition. and without any concern regardingleakers."

Although it might be customary to set a keg on end in order to utilizethe tapping equipment at the restaurant or tavern, the present keg 16 ispositioned on its side with the flange 28 and bung opening 12 directedupwardly. This does not cause any problem whatsoever from a spacestandpoint because the length of substantially all of the beer kegs inuse at the present time. is only a few inches greater than the diameterthereof. In short. even where the kegs are positioned under a counterfor dispensing purposes, as differentiated from being positioned in aremote celler. tapping the keg through the side bung opening presents nospace problem whatsoever.

Turning to a consideration of the first modified construction shown inFIG. 7, it illustrates a simpler and a less expensive form of permanentmagnet actuator 72a and a somewhat less restricted flow path for liquidthrough the liquid valve housing 66. Thus. the liquid flowing throughthe valve housing 66 and the siphon tube 86a passes through the ports104 and around the tubular member 100. The small escape port 106 permitsthe passage of any liquid or air which is trapped in the tubular member100. as the permanent magnet actuator 72a moves from the closed to theopen position and contacts the transversely extending wall portion 102.

In the second modified construction illustrated in FIG. 8. the liquidalso flows through ports "8 and around the tubular member 116, with thepermanent magnet actuator 72b being of similar simple construction andwith the inward movement thereof limited by the tabs 120.

I claim:

1. The method of washing a keg, which keg contains an opening in a wallthereof; a generally tubular valve housing having one endthereofsupported in said opening and an internal shoulder adjacent saidone end; a valve body having an end portion mounted in said housing forlimited axial movement between a closed position in which said endportion is in sealing engagement with said shoulder. and an openposition in which it is spaced therefrom; and openings in said valvehousing adjacent said one end to provide communication with the interiorof the keg and which are unobstructed when the valve body is in the openposition, which includes the steps of:

positioning the keg with the opening in the wall thereof directeddownwardly;

moving the valve body to the open position;

introducing cleansing fluid under pressure into the keg through said kegopening and the openings in the valve housing.

2. The method according to claim 1. in which the valve body contains aliquid passageway therethrough in communication with a siphon tube whichextends into the interior of the keg; and liquid valve means in saidliquid passageway movable between an open position and a closed positionand yieldably biased toward the closed position; and the cleansing fluidis introduced into the keg under sufficient pressure to move the liquidvalve means to the open position. whereby said fluid flows through theliquid passageway and the siphon tube and into the interior of the keg.

3. The method according to claim 1, in which the valve body contains agas passageway therethrough in communication with the interior of thekeg; and gas valve means in the gas passageway movable between an openposition and a closed position and yieldably biased toward the closedposition: and the cleansing fluid is introduced into the keg undersufficient pressure to move the gas valve means to the open position.whereby said fluid flows through the gas passageway and into theinterior of the keg.

4. The method according to claim 1, in which the valve body contains aliquid passageway therethrough in communication with a siphon tube whichextends into the interior of the keg; and a gas passageway therethroughin communication with the interior of the keg; a valve seat in eachpassageway; and a valve element in each passageway associated with itsrespective valve seat and yieldably biased toward said seat; and thecleansing fluid is introduced into the keg under sufficient pressure tomove each valve element away from its seat. whereby said fluid flowsthrough the passageways and around the valve elements and into theinterior of the keg.

5. The method of filling a keg with a liquid, which keg contains anopening in a wall thereof; a generally tubular valve housing having oneend thereof supported in said opening and an internal shoulder adjacentsaid one end; a valve body having an end portion mounted in said housingfor limited axial movement between a closed position in which said endportion is in sealing engagement with said shoulder and an open positionin which it is spaced therefrom; openings in said valve housing adjacentsaid one end to provide communication with the interior of the keg andwhich are unobstructed when the valve body is in the open position; aliquid passageway through the valve body with an outer end and an innerend. with said inner end in communication with a siphon tube whichextends into the interior of the keg; and liquid valve means in saidpassageway movable between an open position and a closed position andyieldably biased toward the closed position which includes the steps of:positioning the keg with the opening in the wall thereof directeddownwardly;

moving the valve body to the open position;

interconnecting a tubular member with the outer end of the liquidpassageway; and

introducing liquid under pressure into the keg through the keg openingand the openings in the valve housing and simultaneously removing anyresidual gases in the keg through the siphon tube. the liquidpassageway, and the tubular member.

6. The method according to claim 5, in which the valve body is moved tothe closed position and the tubular member is disconnected after the kegis filled with the liquid.

7. The method according to claim 5, in which the valve body contains agas passageway therethrough in communication with the interior of thekeg; and gas valve means in the gas passageway movable between an openposition and a closed position and yieldably biased toward the closedposition; and the filling liquid is introduced into the keg undersufficient pressure to move the gas valve means to the open position.whereby said filling fluid also flows through the gas passageway andinto the interior of the keg.

1. The method of washing a keg, which keg contains an opening in a wallthereof; a generally tubular valve housing having one end thereofsupported in said opening and an internal shoulder adjacent said oneend; a valve body having an end portion mounted in said housing forlimited axial movement between a closed position in which said endportion is in sealing engagement with said shoulder, and an openposition in which it is spaced therefrom; and openings in said valvehousing adjacent said one end to provide communication with the interiorof the keg and which are unobstructed when the valve body is in the openposition, which includes the steps of: positioning the keg with theopening in the wall thereof directed downwardly; moving the valve bodyto the open position; introducing cleansing fluid under pressure intothe keg through said keg opening and the openings in the valve housing.2. The method according to claim 1, in which the valve body contains aliquid passageway therethrough in communication with a siphon tube whichextends into the interior of the keg; and liquid valve means in saidliquid passageway movable between an open position aNd a closed positionand yieldably biased toward the closed position; and the cleansing fluidis introduced into the keg under sufficient pressure to move the liquidvalve means to the open position, whereby said fluid flows through theliquid passageway and the siphon tube and into the interior of the keg.3. The method according to claim 1, in which the valve body contains agas passageway therethrough in communication with the interior of thekeg; and gas valve means in the gas passageway movable between an openposition and a closed position and yieldably biased toward the closedposition; and the cleansing fluid is introduced into the keg undersufficient pressure to move the gas valve means to the open position,whereby said fluid flows through the gas passageway and into theinterior of the keg.
 4. The method according to claim 1, in which thevalve body contains a liquid passageway therethrough in communicationwith a siphon tube which extends into the interior of the keg; and a gaspassageway therethrough in communication with the interior of the keg; avalve seat in each passageway; and a valve element in each passagewayassociated with its respective valve seat and yieldably biased towardsaid seat; and the cleansing fluid is introduced into the keg undersufficient pressure to move each valve element away from its seat,whereby said fluid flows through the passageways and around the valveelements and into the interior of the keg.
 5. The method of filling akeg with a liquid, which keg contains an opening in a wall thereof; agenerally tubular valve housing having one end thereof supported in saidopening and an internal shoulder adjacent said one end; a valve bodyhaving an end portion mounted in said housing for limited axial movementbetween a closed position in which said end portion is in sealingengagement with said shoulder and an open position in which it is spacedtherefrom; openings in said valve housing adjacent said one end toprovide communication with the interior of the keg and which areunobstructed when the valve body is in the open position; a liquidpassageway through the valve body with an outer end and an inner end,with said inner end in communication with a siphon tube which extendsinto the interior of the keg; and liquid valve means in said passagewaymovable between an open position and a closed position and yieldablybiased toward the closed position, which includes the steps of:positioning the keg with the opening in the wall thereof directeddownwardly; moving the valve body to the open position; interconnectinga tubular member with the outer end of the liquid passageway; andintroducing liquid under pressure into the keg through the keg openingand the openings in the valve housing and simultaneously removing anyresidual gases in the keg through the siphon tube, the liquidpassageway, and the tubular member.
 6. The method according to claim 5,in which the valve body is moved to the closed position and the tubularmember is disconnected after the keg is filled with the liquid.
 7. Themethod according to claim 5, in which the valve body contains a gaspassageway therethrough in communication with the interior of the keg;and gas valve means in the gas passageway movable between an openposition and a closed position and yieldably biased toward the closedposition; and the filling liquid is introduced into the keg undersufficient pressure to move the gas valve means to the open position,whereby said filling fluid also flows through the gas passageway andinto the interior of the keg.